"Good master Reeve," quoth Beltane, as Walkyn and Eric, obedient to his word, moved into the square to right and left, each with his company, "there is one without that groweth impatient. Let us therefore parley with him from the battlement above the gate."
"Ah, messire," sighed the Reeve, "to what end? 'Tis Sir Robert's summons, and well I know he will demand speech with my lord Gui--alas for us and for Belsaye town!"
"Nay," answered Beltane, "be comforted. Answer as I shall direct and fear ye nothing. Come your ways."
Now when Roger turned and would have followed, Giles plucked him by the arm:
"Roger," quoth he, "Sir Robert will demand speech of Gui of Allerdale, mark ye that, my Rogerkin. Nor will he speak to any but Sir Gui--for a great lord and proud is Robert of Hurstmanswyke. Ha, what think ye, Roger?"
"I think perchance he must go dumb then--come, let us follow."
"Nay, but speak he must--since he may tell us much, aye, and speak he shall. So come, my Rogerkin, hither with me!"
"A wile, sweet Roger, a notable wile--a wile of wiles. Hush! speak not, but come--for mark this:
"In faith a cunning man is Giles In counsel sage and full of wiles!"
"So come, Rogerkin!" So saying, he gripped stout Roger's arm and plunged into the crowd.
Being come out upon the battlement above the gate, Beltane, with the Reeve beside him, peering down through the dark, beheld beyond the moat, a knight supported by four esquires, and beyond these Beltane counted thirty lances what time the Reeve, steadying his voice, challenged them.
"Ha! do ye stir at last, dogs! Open in the Duke's name--'tis I, Robert, lord of Hurstmanswyke, with message to the lord Seneschal, Sir Gui, and captives from Bourne!"
Then, grim-smiling in the dusk, Beltane spake: "Now greeting and fair greeting to thee, my lord, and to thy captives. Hath Thrasfordham fallen so soon?"
"Thrasfordham, fool! 'tis not yet invested--these be divers of Benedict's spies out of Bourne, to grace thy gibbets. Come, unbar--down with the drawbridge; open I say--must I wait thy rogue's pleasure?"
"Not so, noble lord. Belsaye this night doth welcome thee with open arms--and ye be in sooth Sir Robert of Hurstmanswyke."
"Ha, do ye doubt me, knave? Dare ye keep me without? Set wide the gates, and instantly, or I will see thee in a noose hereafter. Open! Open! God's death! will ye defy me? gate ho!"